Happy Birthday, Herman

Herman Peterson in 1942

My great-grandfather Herman Peterson was born on December 24, 1875 in Äspö, Skåne, Sweden. He was the first child of Hans Persson and Karna Andersdotter, who had been married just a year earlier. The church book in Äspö records his birth like this:

You can see his birthday listed, December 24, and that he was baptized on December 30. His given name was Per, probably after his paternal grandfather. Because of Swedish naming traditions, young Per would not take a last name (which would be patterned after his father's first name) until he left his parents' house many years later. When he did, he would be known as Per Hansson. (How he came to be called Herman Peterson is a topic for a future blog post.)

Imagine having a baby on Christmas Eve, which is such a big holiday in Sweden. Were Hans and Karna already celebrating, with family or by themselves? What must young Hans and Karna's house have been like when baby Per came into their lives? Did they have a Christmas tree with lit candles? Were there presents under the tree, maybe even for the expected little one? Did they think about another young couple whose baby was born in Bethlehem so long ago?

The back of this photo says "House where Dad P was born."

Hans Persson, his wife Karna and now his son Per lived at Espö No. 14, a farm that had been owned by Hans' father before him and where Hans grew up with his younger brother Carl and his sisters Kersti (the oldest) and Boel (third in the family).

Five days after Per's birth, Hans and Karna took their son to the church to be baptized. Below is a picture of the church at Äspö, which is centuries old; the baptismal font dates from 1200-1300 AD. Just imagine the young family going to the church in the dark and cold of a Swedish winter. They probably would have met the baby's sponsors, listed as Marna Helgesdotter, Anders Persson, and Boet Persdotter, who was Hans' younger sister.

I think about my own children's baptisms and wonder about Per's. Did baby Per cry when the cold water washed his brow? Did he have a special christening gown? Did people give him and his parents presents? Surely the family celebrated afterwards. Bringing a child into the world and into the community of saints is an event to be cherished and remembered. Herman, Per, Grandpa and Great-Grandpa Pete, today we remember you.

Happy Birthday Sarah

Sarah has been making music for 78 years.

When Harry Met Edna

Edna Irene Johnson and Harry Nels Peterson

April 14, 1932

How did Harry and Edna meet? They probably knew each other from First Lutheran Church in Princeton, Illinois, where their families worshipped. Edna, five years older than Harry, graduated from high school in 1918 and then took a stenographic course at Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois. She returned to Princeton and by 1930 was working as a bookkeeper at the Citizens First National Bank. By this time Harry, who had left high school to begin working and help support his parents and (nine) siblings, was the manager at the Larkin grocery store. As adults, Harry and Edna’s five-year age difference was of little consequence. They enjoyed each other’s company, their relationship grew and in time they were engaged.

Edna Johnson and Harry Peterson were married on Wednesday, April 14, 1932 in Princeton, Illinois at 4 o’clock in the afternoon. Although the ceremony was performed by Reverend Elmer T. Peters of First Lutheran Church, the wedding took place at the home where Edna and her mother, Anna, lived on West Putnam Street. About 60 friends and family members attended the event.

The house was filled with flowers and the ceremony was filled with music. Mrs. Mabel Morton sang “Because” and “At Dawning,” accompanied by Miss Rosalie Tragordh. Nineteen-year-old Pauline Lindgren, Edna’s cousin on her mother’s side, sang “When Song is Sweet” accompanied by Edna’s oldest sister Myrtle Peterson.

Harry waited for his bride with his best man, Robert Eckdahl, standing at his side. Myrtle struck up Mendelssohn’s Wedding March and Edna entered the room. Since her father had died in   perhaps she walked in by herself, or with her mother. Edna was resplendent in her dress of white net over white satin and moire ruffles on the skirt. Her net veil was fastened with orange blossoms and she carried a magnificent arm bouquet of calla lilies.

Edna’s maid of honor was her friend Celia Johnson. “Ceil” wore a dress of blue lace and carried roses and sweet peas. Edna’s two nieces also participated in the ceremony: Phyllis Swanson, 5, Evelyn’s daughter, wore a dress of blue organdy and was the flower girl, and Anna May Peterson, 6, Myrtle’s daughter, wearing pink organdy, was the train bearer.

After the ceremony the guests ate a two-course supper and a large white wedding cake trimmed in pink and blue, topped by a miniature bride and groom.

Edna and Harry went on their honeymoon to Florida where they visited Tampa Bay and Daytona Beach. When they returned to Princeton they made their home on West Putnam, just down the street from Edna’s mom. In four years they welcomed their son Stanley and their family was complete.

Edna’s father Theodore had died. Edna was the third of four sisters, the last to be married